The Villain Wants to Change Genres

Chapter 4

“Anyway, be careful. You’ll have to take responsibility for the Duke’s family in the future, sister.”

“I have no such intention. That will be you, Fei.”

What is she saying? Why is she saying this? Surely she’s not trying to pass the title to me?

No way! I really, truly don’t want it. I finally have the background to live a life of luxury as a wealthy unemployed person, why would I want to work? Irene absolutely must inherit the title.

I sincerely grasped both of Irene’s hands. This time, it’s not an act. I looked her in the eyes with a serious attitude and spoke in the most straightforward tone possible.

“I sincerely hope that you inherit the title, sister. I’ve realized that what I want isn’t the title. And I’m not as smart as you, I have no talent with a sword, and as you can see, I’m physically weak. It’s impossible for me.”

“That’s not true. Fei, you’ll make a better duke than anyone.”

“I’m telling you no. Don’t even think about it. Both Father and I want you to inherit the title, you won’t refuse, will you? Don’t try to give it to me. Really, truly.”

I quickly continued speaking while Irene hesitated after I brought up Father.

“Above all, I don’t want it. I want to live comfortably now, doing what I want. Instead of pursuing the path of the sword which doesn’t suit me, I want to find my new dream.”

Reject the rejection. Just say you understand. If it were me, I would have noticed the despicable intention of trying to freeload, but not my sister, right?

“What you want to do…”

Irene mumbled, repeating what I said, then nodded.

“Alright. Live the life you want, Fei. I’ll help you.”

Success! I inwardly sighed with relief.

“If you ever change your mind and want to inherit the duke’s position, just tell me anytime. I’ll persuade Father.”

That won’t happen. I have no intention of managing the territory as a duke when I need to support Luwen.

Besides, in two years? Or was it three years? Father will pass away. I’m not reciting Irene’s life story by heart so I’m a bit confused, but I’ll know when the time comes. It’ll be an easy-to-notice event.

And at that time, a strong bond will form between Irene and Luwen. It’s an event that I must absolutely use to change the future.

“Okay. I’ll do that.”

After smiling and responding, I gradually erased my smile. I lowered my head, moved my lips as if I had something to say, then firmly closed them.

“If you have something to say, feel free to say it.”

Irene, who took the bait, spoke as if comforting me.

“Actually… I’m a little scared, sister.”

“What are you scared of? There’s nothing to be afraid of. I’ll protect you.”

I shook my head slightly. Feeling Irene’s gaze fixed on me, I moved my lips slowly and haltingly as if uttering difficult words.

“…What if I go back to how I was before? What if I again… to you, sister…”

I trailed off, clutching my chest tightly. This means that I still haven’t completely let go of my greed and haven’t shaken off my emotions.

Human emotions can’t be cut off so cleanly, right? You understand, don’t you? I mean that I want to try. I want to do better. I want to become a good person. Irene, you’ll understand my feelings, right?

“Fei…”

This time, I changed my facial expression and smiled. But my trembling lips should be interpreted as forcing a smile to reassure her.

The lines I’m about to deliver here are very important. Irene’s cooperation is essential to get Luwen. Her persuasion, request, deal. Whatever it is, to get Luwen now, I had to make Irene my ally first.

Just in case she might not catch the signal, I spoke with my gaze lowered.

“I’ll get over it soon. I can do it. It’s okay even if it’s for the purpose of monitoring whether I’m doing it right.”

Before saying the last words, I raised my head and looked at Irene.

“Can’t you send Luwen to me?”

What would Irene think, seeing me trying to smile?

“Why Luwen of all people? He pushed you into the water because of me.”

It seems she’s coming around a bit. Is she worried that Luwen might hurt me? Or not… It seems like the right interpretation for pre-villain Irene from the original story, but I’m not sure.

“That’s exactly why. It means he has a heart that puts others before himself, doesn’t it?”

“That’s true, but…”

To tip the wavering Irene over, I quickly spat out words. I didn’t forget to show a fearful appearance by making my voice tremble intermittently.

“What if… I start hating you again, sister? Wouldn’t Luwen stop me then? And if an upright person stays by my side, maybe my heart will become like that too. I won’t do anything bad. I’ll get along with him like a friend, like a brother.”

Irene seemed to be pondering my nonsense carefully. I guess my sophistry seemed quite plausible to her. People like Irene, who desperately want something or know loneliness, are easily swayed by sophistry.

Above all, Irene has just gotten me back. She wouldn’t want to let go. What Irene wants is a fairy tale-like family. She wants Father and me to be in it together.

There’s no possibility, but that’s what wishes are like.

“Luwen is a stubborn child. It was hard trying to stop him from honestly telling Father about the situation.”

As if thinking about her struggle with Luwen, a bit of awkwardness and fondness showed in her expression. I felt my heart drop, worried that Irene might be reluctant to let Luwen go.

What if she keeps in contact with Luwen even after sending him to me? Won’t that prevent breaking the strong bond between them? Maybe Luwen might fall for Irene again without my knowledge. That shouldn’t happen…

Even if I can’t completely prevent Luwen from meeting Irene, I need to limit it to the minimum and prevent love from sprouting.

Irene. I’ll take responsibility and raise him well, so just send him to me. I’ve even given you all the guidelines on how to persuade him. Isn’t this enough to convince Luwen?

I’ve even given Luwen a justification. The justification that if he sacrifices himself, Irene can get what she wants. Good siblings, that is, a brother.

It’s bitter that he considers coming to me a sacrifice, but that’s natural for now, so it can’t be helped. I tried to sway Irene again, revealing my upset feelings as they were.

“Luwen likes you the most, sister. If he stays by my side, then I think I can keep changing too.”

“But Luwen…”

The words she swallowed while hesitating are obvious. She probably means that Luwen dislikes me.

“I know. I’ll handle that myself. If it seems like I’m bullying Luwen, you can take him back anytime. Ah, right. Exactly 3 years. If Luwen wants to go back after 3 years, I’ll let him go.”

Even if Luwen wants to go back after 3 years, if he sees how I’ve changed, Irene will try to persuade him instead. She’ll remember what I said today. So if I gain Luwen’s trust, there’s a high chance he’ll continue to stay by my side.

Of course, if Luwen falls in love with someone else, I can send him back to Irene anytime. I just need to keep him until then.

“…I’ll ask Luwen first.”

“Okay. That’s enough for now.”

I smiled faintly and then bit my lip. To show that I was happy but embarrassed, I glanced at Irene and then lowered my gaze. As if I couldn’t adapt to the ticklish atmosphere, I kept fidgeting with my hands.

* * *

On the morning of the third day after talking with Irene, I mean, sister, Father’s butler visited. Even though it had been a while since I last saw him, he was still as stiff and blunt as ever.

“The Duke has requested young master’s presence in his office.”

Thinking it must be today, I immediately got up and headed to the office. Irene and Luwen were already there. Without consciously intending to, my gaze naturally went to Luwen. The child standing quietly with his hands clasped looked so gentle and innocent.

His skin, slightly tanned from frequent outdoor activities, looked bright and lively, and his straight black hair flowed smoothly while his eyes of the same color sparkled. His round nose and jawline were simply adorable.

It’s hard to believe that this soft and round-looking child will later become a sharp and cynical handsome man.

“Explain.”

As I was having these random thoughts about whether this might be considered a reverse transformation, I turned my gaze at the sound of Father’s voice.